Float-controlled valve and switch



Oct. 26 1926.

I. E. SMITH V FLOAT CONTROLLED VALVE AND SWITCH Filed Sept. 21, 1925 Fig.1

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Patented Oct. 2c, 1926.

PATENT ()FFICE.

IRA. EDWARD SMITH, OF STOCKTON, CALIFOBiNIA.

FLOAT-CONTROLLED VALVE AN D SWITCH.

Application fllcd September 21, .1925. Serial No. 57,548.

This invention relates to attachments for use in connection with oil supply systems of electrically driven oil burners, such as shown in my co-pending application for patent, Serial N 0. 750,248 filed November 17th, 1924.

The device of the present invention is a combination of two structures, one a safety switch to take the place of the device shown in m co-pending application for patent, Seria No. 29,386 filed May 11th, 1925; and an oil flow control valve such as is shown in my Patent No. 1,512,247, dated October 21st, 1924. I

The principal object of my present invention is to provide a unitary device, to serve the above purposes, constructed in such a manner that when the normal supply of oil is being fed through the device to the burner, the switch to the motor operating the oil pum and-burner will be closed; 1f the oil supp y fails for any reason the switch will be opened, discontinuing the driving of the motor; and if the valve leaks and does not properly control the level of the oil, the switch will also be opened.

The device is automatic in operation, so that it needs no attention on the part of an operator, and by shutting off the motor under abnormal conditions, gives warning that the system is not functioning properly, while preventing the possibility of fire due to an overflow of oil, and the possible damage to the burner and other parts if they are determined to run d Any overflowing oil from-the burner returns to the device, no attention being ever necessary to take care of such overflow of oil.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the urpose for which it is desi ed.

ese objects I accomplish y. means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of ref-- erence indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

Figs. 1 and 2 are sectional elevations of the device taken in planes at right angles to each other, the bowl being full to its normal level and the valve and switch closed.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the devicepartly in section showing the liquid level above its normal level and the switch consequently opened.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the bowl empty and the switch opened.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, end view of the switch tube showing one trip or opening means.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the

numeral 1 denotes a bowl of suitable size, having a centrally disposed tube2projecting upwardly into the same, this tube near its lower end being formed with a valve seat 3 with lateral openings 4 leading into the bowl above said seat. The tube below the seat is connected to an oil intake passage 5,

while an outlet passage 6 leads from the side of the bowl adjacent the bottom thereof.

These passages are adapted to be connected to feed and discharge pipes 7 and 8 respectivel'y.

Slidably mounted on the tube for vertical movement'in the bowl is a float 9. A stem 10 having a needle valve 11 to fit in the seat between lugs 15 depending from the cover.

The opposite ends of these arms have weights 16 which bear on the top of the float. This valve controlling arrangement is similar to that commonly used-in ordinary carbureter construction, but'in the present instance the arms 14 from the lugs to the weights 16 are and allow upward movement of the float even after the valve 11 has seated, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

This construction has a valuable function,

as will berseen hereinafter.

Pivotally mounted in brackets 17 projecting above the cover l2 is a frame 18 which carries a horizontal glass tube 19. Contacts '20 project into the tube adjacent one end thereof, said contacts being interposed in the of spring material. They may therefore flex circuit to the motor, which drives the burner and pump (not shoWn) A quantity of mercury 21 sealed in the tube, is adapted to engage the contacts to close the same, the' tube being normally held at a downward slant toward thetcontacts so that the mercury will engage the same by a counterweight 22 mounted on the frame 18. A set screw 23 mounted in said frame and adapted to bear against-the cover limits the downward movement of the frame and tube.

Projecting horizontally from the frame. 18 on opposite sides of one of the brackets 17 are lips 24. One lip is adapted to be engaged on its under side under certain conditions, by a pin 25 fixed on the float and proj ecting upwardly through the cover 12. The other lip is adapted to be engaged on its upper face under certain conditions byca" tion, without .either the pin or the hook engaging the respective lips.

The pin and hook are adjustable as to length so as to be able to adjust the time of opening of the switch with different levels 1 of oil inthe bowl.

The bowl also has an inlet 27 above the normal oil level, which is adapted to be connected to an overflow pipe 28 from the burner. Said overflow oil of course controls the movement of the float in the same manner as the oil entering through the regular intake passage 5. An additional cover 29 is preferably removably mounted onto the cover 12 so as to protect the switch tube structure from possible damage.

In operation the oil flowing into the bowl through the intake causes the float to rise until a certain predetermined level has been reached, at which time said float, acting on the stem through the arms 14, will cause tliife valve 11 to be seated and the intake shut o As the oil, is drawn through the discharge pipe 8, under normal conditions, the float fluctuates back and forth to allow sufficient oil to enter the bowl to offset the amount drawn therefrom. In such case, as previously stated, neither the pin nor the hook 26 are in engagement with the lips 24,

and consequently the switch will remain closed.

This position of the parts is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

If for any reason the valve 11 should fail to seat properly and would cause oil to flow into the bowl faster than it was being drawn out of the same, the float would continueto rise. This it is able to do 'on account of the flexibility of the arms 14. When this takes place the pin 25 approaches and engages the corresponding lip 24 and with a further upward movement of the float said pin Wlll push up on said lip and cause a reversal of position of the switch tube so that the mercury will flow away from the contacts, thereby opening the switch.

This position of the parts is shown in Fig. 3. v

If on the other hand the oil supply should fail for some reason and no .oil would enter the bowl, the float would lower away from the arms 14 until it reached the bottom of the bowl. In this case the hook 26 would engage and pull down its lip 24 and would also cause a reversal-of position of the switch tube in a similar manner to that had with the engagement of the pin 25 with its lip as above stated. In other words the switch will again be opened.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure "from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A float controlled valve and switch comprising a bowl to contain a liquid, an intake leading to the bowl, avalve to control-the intake comprising a vertical needle stem, a float, connections between said float and stem arranged to cause the valve to be opened when the float is lowered and to close the valve when the float rises to a certain level and to then permit of further rising of the float without affecting the stem, switch means normally closed when the float is at said certain level, and means between the float and switch means for causing the latter to be opened when the float rises or lowers a predetermined distance from its normal valve-closing level.

2. A float controlled valve and switch comprising a bowl to contain a liquid, an intake leading to the bowl, a valve to control the intake, switch means associated with the bowl, and-normally closed when the liquid in the bowl is at a predetermined level, a float controlling the opening and closing of the valve, means permitting raising and lowering movement of the float to a greater extent than that necessary to close and open the valve and without then affecting the valve, and means between the float and switch means for causing the latter to the oat in either direction.

3. A structure as in claim 3, in which said switch means comprises a pivoted tube, contacts projecting into the same at one end, mercury in the tube adapted to engage the contacts, and means normally hol ing the tube on a slant sufiicient to cause the mercury to engage the contacts; and the control means comprises lips projecting horizontally from the. tube on both sides of its pivot, a pin projecting upwardly from the float toengage the under side of one lifi,

and a hook projecting upwardly from the float to engage the upper side of the other lip, said pin and hook being clear of the lips when the float is .in its normal valveclosingposition. I

4. A float controlled valve and switch comprises a bowl to contain a liquid, an, intake leading to the bowl, avalve tocon -trol the intake, a switch structure pivotally associated with the bowl, means incorporated with said structure whereby only when turned. a certain distance about'its pivot in one direction will the switch be closed, a float controlling the opening and closing of the valve, and means between the float and switch structure for turning the latter in said one direction to open, the

switch with either an upward or downward movement of the float a predetermined distance from its normal valve closing position.

5. A. float controlled valve and switch structure comprising a bowl to contain a liquid, an intake passage for the bowl, a

valve to open and close the passage, a float controlling the movement of the valve and causing the same to close when the liquid in the bowl is at apredetermined level, and a the float is in a corresponding position, a switch structure on top of the bowl, means independent of the float tending to hold the switch closed, and means mounted on the float and, acting on the switch structure but Y independent thereof for causing the same to be opened by the .upward or downward.

' In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

IRA EDWARD SMITH. 

